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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:12 pm 
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Debra, that was simply ingenious. From Buffy making the dare to Xander doing ballet (*snickers*) and Giles using 21st century technology. In contrast Willow got an easier challenge. I'm willing to bet that if we could have heard Tara's point of view that she was also noticing Willow and going through some internal monologue before she approached the redhead. Nice observation about the toothpaste, Willow. Then again, Tara doesn't babble as much and she seemed much more assured when she finally made the contact.

I chuckled at Willow's preciseness. Showering at 6.26. It'll be trouble if it's 6.27! And that organizer bag of hers sounds killer. Even a slot for business cards? Really?
Quote:
“Would that be a problem?”

I smiled. “So very the no. I mean, not no to dinner. No to a problem. No at all to a problem. As in yes to dinner. Very the yes. I mean… I’m a spazz.”

All I can think of is, how sweet.

I don't want to spoil things for the other readers but can't wait for more *if* there's more which is to say I'm not saying there is more of these scenes or more to this particular story or even more sports series ... grrrr I'm not making sense.
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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:13 am 
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Great fics!


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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:47 pm 
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Debra!

That was so *great*!! I loved Willow's organizer and her little disclaimer about how if (tara) didn't want her (willow) to think she was hot, well then she should be so hot! Oh, and the apricot toothpaste (yech) detail was great... in fact, all of the details were wonderful.

I love how you have these little hidden back stories to your short fics -- it gives them a certain depth and I love your characters - 'cos with the back story I feel like they really bloom!

loved it!

db

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:55 pm 
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SithLordWiccan – Congratulations on your dibs. I would definitely recommend reading the 7th book to add to your first six. I’m a relatively big fan but not so that I walk around talking about HP all the time or anything. I think it’s a pretty nice universe though.

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So why did I say before that it was your story that I was looking forward to the most? Well, I have to be honest, and say that while I have no doubt that the other stories will be good, it was this one that I felt I would enjoy the most, simply because I at least knew on some level what to expect from it.
I think that makes sense.

Why name the school Hogwarts-US? For a few reasons. I wanted to make it completely explicit that this school is an extension of the Hogwarts of the HP books. The other schools don’t necessarily have the same house and point structure that Hogwarts has and since I wanted to use the reader’s (assumed) existing knowledge of the houses and the quidditch and house championships, I created an American version of Hogwarts. I guess on the spectrum of using the original creator’s universe as my structure, I went a bit farther this time than I usually do.

Thanks so much for your comments.

Justin – Hey there! I totally agree with you on the graphics here. Chris did a great job incorporating the main graphic and the sub-graphics together. I haven’t seen the others but I’m expecting them to be along the same lines. (All hail Chris!).

I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I agree that V’s power would certainly be felt outside England although he wasn’t actually in American creating the havoc and terror as in England. I had a lot of fun writing both the match and the commentary so I’m glad to hear that people enjoyed.

Thanks so much.

Missocki – Thanks so much. Yeah, Tara’s got the same stupid twisted sense of nobility that Harry has. Fortunately, as you point out, Willow is more stubborn than Tara. I mean four years or being turned down? Heck, it’s hard to imagine being a first year and muggle-born at that and pursuing a 3rd year but I guess Willow’s that determined.

Quote:
P.S. It took me a few minutes to figure out Ad Am =Adam, and Kool Aide is a reference to Fruit Punch Mouth line in season one. I'm slow today.
Yeah, one of the drawbacks to making the big bads the Slytherin team is the severe lack of last names on them. Pretty much just Wilkins (and Warren who isn’t exactly qualified) has a lack name. The rest of them, I had to stretch somehow.

Thanks for reading.

db – Hey there. I agree with your thoughts about who is the smitten and who is the pursuer. Tara seemed to be much more the pursuer on the show although she also seemed so shy and reserved that I can’t imagine her ever making any big moves or anything like that. I’ve always felt like… you know that part in Who Are You where Willow says all about wanting something that’s all hers and Tara says, “I am…”? I’ve always taken that as largely the moment that Willow falls in love with Tara. Here’s someone who’s willing to be completely devoted to you and she’s so starved for love and affection that she’s a goner. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that they didn’t have a true love but I think that Tara’s availability really helps Willow get into the new relationship and relationship with a girl thing. Anyway, I find it fun to write it both ways.

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the impression from the story that Tara's mom was killed or hurt with a crucio curse (stupid dumb evil worshippers). It must've been terrible to actually watch someone (not to mention her potential sweetheart) be hit with the same curse.
Yes, hurt with it. I’m not sure in HP-verse canon that you could be killed with a crucio curse. The Longbottoms were tortured with it enough to make them go crazy but I don’t think that we ever read of anyone dying of it. Still, you’re right that it’s hard for Tara to see.

Ahhh. Your concerns about Tara’s being hit with the bludger. Keep in mind that they use magic to heal their injuries. No doubt she’s fine by the time they are all waiting outside the infirmary.

Thanks.

diamondforever – Lol. I’m with you on Quidditch. Of course I just think it would be great to fly (if I weren’t afraid of heights that is but maybe I wouldn’t be afraid on a broom (seems unlikely)). Thanks so much for your thoughts re: Tara.

Not like Angel? I wouldn’t say that but I’m not particularly attached to him. I guess I feel ambivialant toward him but find him a handy villain. I will say this: I consider season two the most high quality season and Angel the best/worst big bad! So it makes sense that I made him the biggest of the big bads here (in spite of being only a 2nd year).

Thanks.

Mary – You know I always love to see your screen name show up. Did you like Deathly Hallows? I thought it was quite spectacular and particularly can’t wait to see the movie. We’re going to see HP 5 at the IMAX in 3D this week. Woo hoo!

I get what you’re saying about the characters fitting into these characters. I really tried to think about their personalities and how they would be in the HP-verse.

Quote:
I think it's tough to juxtapose youthful naivete or optimism with the reality of RBS (Really Bad Stuff) that awaits those youths.
Absolutely agreed. I think that’s a big reason why Quidditch played such a big role in the first three HP books, less in the 4th, nearly none in the 5th, and then was gone. Because they had grown older and had more “real” things to worry about. But I also think that it’s quite important to take a break from the horror of reality and play a game once in a while.

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You know I love my comedy and pairing Cordy and Dru as announcers was a stroke of brilliance. Cordy, interspersing play-by-play with fashion critiques; and Dru, just...being Dru. In the sun and moon, indeed...
Thank you. I feel like if I knew more about fashion or suns and moons I could have snarked it up even better.

Thanks so much.

Vale – Tee hee. Thanks.

Watty – A list! Woo and hoo! You know I love your lists. So, totally off topic… My nephew (brother’s son) is 8 years old and he asks a lot of questions which my brother and sister-in-law answer the best they can (he’s quite intelligent). The other day he was shopping at Home Depot and picked up a credit card application so he started asking questions about the application and revolving credit and all that. Then he went in his room and using his whiteboard and marker, created an amortization schedule assuming a payment of 2% and 18% interest (or whatever his variables) were. My brother send a photo and I was like, “yep, that kid is related to us!”

The lineups were quite fun to do. As I said earlier, it’s just kind of difficult with the lack of last names but still fun.

#3 is quite fascinating. I guess in a lot of ways that’s true. I make up an entire back and forward story in my mind and then hint at it and allow the readers to guess at it. I’ve never thought of it like that before but yes, you’re quite correct.

I think you’re the first person to mention the rose synchronicity spell. Good catch, that.

Quote:
Excellent take on the "not so good with the swimming" line.
Lol.

Yes, Angel is quite terrible. I’m not 100% sure but I think that all of the unforgivable curses carry life terms in Azkaban (I think we could find it in the 4th book during one of Mad-Eye’s first lectures). So that would be nice to see.

Thanks so much.

russ – Thanks so much. Quite honestly, the story began like meringue, light and fluffy, but somewhere it kind of took off on its own. I’m not sure how that happened but it did and I’m relatively happy with the result. Again a mention of the larger story and I guess it is that… Thanks so much for your comments.

Chris – Again I say thank you for the fantastic graphics.
Quote:
… they're still developing in many ways, emotionally and in their outlook on life, but at the same time the environment they're in contains immediate dangers and forces that make them grow up quick, or else.
Yes, it makes me think of that episode where Willow and Cordelia find all the A/V guys dead in the school and how Willow says it wasn’t their world anymore. It’s like that’s the moment that the grown-up reality of the danger intersects with her childhood and her love of school.

Thanks for your thoughts about the W/T relationship and it’s challenges here. I can’t decide whether I think that Tara’s attitude is very mature or exactly the opposite.

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I'm totally in agreement on one other point, too - get rid of Slytherin. A friend summed the whole house system up pretty well: if you're a hero you go to Gryffindor, if you're a brain you go to Ravenclaw, if you're a stoner you go to Hufflepuff, and if you're a rat-bastard you go to Slytherin. It's a hot-house for evil jerks, I can't imagine how it's meant to produce anything positive overall.
So remember the chat we had about what the different houses represented? Well, we went on our family vacation a few weeks later and the kids were deciding what house everyone belonged in. Basically, they put all the kids into Gryffindor and all the adults into Ravenclaw. Personally, I’d imagine I belong in Ravenclaw but I guess it could be Hufflepuff: I work hard and all that. So my sister-in-law turns on me and is all, “You think you’d be in Ravenclaw?” So I say that the kids put me there, not me and that all the houses are necessary and she went into this complete rant about why don’t I think that Hufflepuff and good and blah blah blah. I was like, “I’m not saying Hufflepuff sucks. I’m saying that all the houses stand for a different strength and that we need all of them.” Then I made the mistake of saying that we need them just like you need Deltas and Epsilons in Brave New world. “So you’re saying that Hufflepuffs are stupid?” It was just the most insane thing.

Well, I thought that I’ve have some comments re: Tonks outfit because we were supposed to go see HP 5 in IMAX 3D yesterday but the babysitting fell through so I have nothing good to say. Thanks.

Emms – Hey there. Thanks for the comments. I highly recommend the books and the movies too. Some of the movies have a tendency to be longish but I think that about most movies. Thanks.

Shower Scenes #1 Comments

Michelle – Congratulations. I’m glad you’re enjoying the babble. It’s a Willowism isn’t it? I’m glad that I could help your need for a boost.

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Ah...awkward flirting...what fun. Makes me almost want to go out and join a gym.
Yeah, it’s more fun to read than to do, don’t you think? I have to admit that I’ve just started showering and getting dressed at the gym (I wrote this long before that) and it’s is a very hard place to be friendly. Everyone is very kind of guarded and private as if they are emphasizing it because it’s so not private.

Thanks for your comments.

diamondforever – Hey there. I’m glad you like the babbling and I’m like you: I love the first meeting fics. Thanks so much.

musicmad10 – Thanks. I’m glad you liked the fluster and didn’t think it was too much.

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Will you be continuing or is it just a one of chapter?
Good question.

binky – Thanks so much. I hoped it wasn’t too much. Thanks for the thoughts on HP. Like you, I missed the quidditch although [spoiler]The scene flying from the living flame in the room of requirement kind of fulfilled that need.[/spoiler]

Thanks for your comments.

Watty – Thanks so much. Basically, I had to come up with a motivation for Willow being at the gym because I can’t really see that as very realistic. It seems to me that the easiest challenge would be Giles but then I’m a major proponent of doing all bill-paying and tracking online. I guess part of why that seems so easy is that he would save so much time over the next year!

I would have to agree with you that Tara would have to be quite nervous about approaching Willow in that situation.

Quote:
I chuckled at Willow's preciseness. Showering at 6.26. It'll be trouble if it's 6.27! And that organizer bag of hers sounds killer. Even a slot for business cards? Really?
I’ve seen bags like that and they’re quite a thing. Personally, I have a backpack and my clothes on a hanger. But the time? I mean don’t you kind of calculate your timing like that? Like to make the 8:20 bus, I need to leave my apartment at 8:07…

I’m glad you think she’s sweet. I think so. Very nice Willow/Watty-babble at the end there.

Thanks.

SJ – Thanks so much.

db – Thanks for your thoughts about the organizer. And seriously, thinking it’s Tara’s fault if she gets ogled? Not earth logic I guess. Believe it or not, Rachel is using Apricot toothpaste and it really exists (and is organic) but I find the idea pretty gross. Guess Tara didn’t mind.

Thanks.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:01 am 
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[center]Image[/center]

Title: Vision Quest
Author: watty (hiddenwatson[at]gmail[dot]com)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: BtVS characters, concepts and dialogue belong to Mutant Enemy, Fox, The WB, UPN and others.
Notes: the sporting event is skiing, but there's a twist. It'll become clearer.
Notes 2: Garmisch is short for Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany. It is one of the destinations on the alpine skiing world cup competition calendar.
Thanks: Cam for gallantly helping with reviewing; Car for her usual adorable self; Chris for the premier league graphics; the RKT group for teamwork and support.


The faraway sounds of children's uninhibited laughter woke me up. I hadn't been sleeping well since the end of last season, and most days I woke up before the alarm. I turned in the direction of the bedroom window to try to feel the warmth of the early morning sun, but there was only the perpetual chill of the unrelenting darkness. Inside my imagination I colored our room in golds and pinks and gently shimmering light, before silently berating myself for allowing myself these indulgences. We had taken to sleeping with the curtains open, because once I mentioned how much I wanted to be woken up by the kiss of the sunlight on my skin. It must be hard for Will to sleep with the curtains open but she'd never say a word. I was sure she'd leave the windows open if I ever made an offhand remark about fresh morning breeze.

It's the small things you do for me.

A rustle of the bedclothes followed by a muted moan in response and for a moment I thought I'd said those words out loud. I continued staring in the direction of the window when a warm hand rested gingerly on my shoulder.

"What time is it?" It was the instinctive question of someone still half asleep. If she were fully awake she would have immediately started apologizing and babbling about her perceived insensitivity. I took a deep breath to clear those thoughts from my already cluttered brain.

I reached for the watch on my wrist and took the opportunity to switch off the alarm. "It's not even seven. Go back to sleep, baby," I said as I swung my legs down and rolled into a sitting position at the edge of the bed.

"You getting up?" I could hear the rising concern in her voice. It was the hesitation and how each word seemed to be accompanied by a frown.

I squeezed my eyes tight and opened them in the direction of the window. Nope, still cold and dark. "I think I'll go for a run," I said nonchalantly, already anticipating the response.

"Oh, okay. I'll get dressed." She struggled briefly against the tangled sheets and was about to pull herself up.

Like I said, I'd already anticipated this move and reached back to stop her. "Don't get up. I'll use the treadmill." I shuffled my feet on the floor till I found my slippers, stood up, took the necessary two steps and found the edge of the footboard.

"You sure?"

To the casual observer I was merely tracing my palm on the footboard while I made my way across the room. Four precise steps traversed the width of the bed, then five to the bathroom.

"Yeah," I mumbled.

"But you don't like the treadmill. Here, I'll get up and we'll go outside," she insisted.

I stopped at the bathroom threshold. My grip on the doorjamb was as tight as the clench of my jaw. "No. Really, Will, I'm good. It's only a run," I said slowly. You don't have to wait on me hand and foot. Did I say that out loud too?

I could sense her trying to bite her tongue at another round of "you sure's". When she didn't say anything further I stepped inside the bathroom and into the shower.

I turned the water on full blast, savoring the strong sensation on my skin that woke up my senses. Under the cascade of hot water I imagined myself floating on clouds, or running through rain. In my daydreams I was always by myself, I could take care of myself, needing no one to lead me. Part of me felt guilty at my selfishness, of excluding Willow from my fantasies. She didn't ask for this either.

"I want us to be equals, don't you see?"

I must have spoken out, loud enough for her to hear. "Are you okay?" she shouted from the bedroom.

"Yes." I sighed. Shaking myself back into reality I focused on blanking my mind on nothing but water, soap and the shower.

"Did you say something about seeing?"

I jumped and screeched at the proximity of her voice, from the other side of the shower screen. "No, I didn't say anything. Go back to bed, Will."

"Are you alright? You're acting ... weird," she asked out of concern.

I gripped the sponge until I'd squeezed all water out of it. "I'm fine. But if you ask me one more time if I'm alright I'm going to scream."

Silence.

"I'm sorry," she said in a very small voice. "Can I come in?"

Oh Christ.

"Actually I'm almost done. Since you seem to be up already why don't you get started on breakfast?" I said as calmly as I could.

"Oh. Okay." She retreated, taking with her the thickness of a thousand unsaid questions.

I was glad she couldn't see me. Even though my tears were indistinguishable from the stream of water under the shower my eyes would be puffy and red. "I'm scared too," I said to no one in particular.

[center]Image[/center]

"It's not as bad as we thought."

"She's cleared to compete?"

"Yes, definitely. She qualifies for B1 now, and with her times she'll be one of the best in that class."

"If not the best."

"Giles, will she be ready for Garmisch?"

"Um well, three weeks. It's tough. Can't we aim for Aspen instead? We'll have an extra week, and naturally the home advantage."

"We need Tara back as soon as possible if we are to have a look into team gold this year."

I couldn't help but snort at the last comment. Look. Ha. Mentally I recited the definition of B1, the most severe of the three classes -- No light perception in either eye up to light perception, inability to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction. Yep, that was me. Blind as a bat, only now legally which meant I qualified for social security disability benefits. My vision had started deteriorating since I was ten, and I had "progressed" from sporadic vision loss to failing color perception; to black spots that grew larger and larger until everything turned dark.

I had skied since I was three years old, and as soon as I was old enough I'd been selected for one US ski team or another. First the juniors, then when I was diagnosed they switched me to the Disabled team. Casual observers and people unfamiliar with the sport were often skeptical about how we could race our way down a steep ski slope safely. Truth was, with a good guide, a blind skier was just as good as a sighted one. And Willow and I were a very good team. I love the exhilaration of the wind in my hair and the freedom that came with speed. It meant though that my life was an eternal cycle of school, training, competition and endless hotel rooms. There were trophies a-plenty but I couldn't appreciate them, they sat inside a glass cabinet for other people to view.

I'd remained very quiet while the conversation continued as if I wasn't in the room, as I usually did. Between my coach Giles, my specialist Dr Rosenberg and US ski team manager Snyder my life was perfectly planned. Around what they wanted. I tried to remember if anyone had ever asked me what I wanted.

"Sunbathing in the Bahamas or sipping a morning cappuccino in Florence, thanks for showing an interest," I muttered.

Willow's hand landed protectively on mine immediately. "Are we doing this too soon?" she asked gently.

I shook my head. Physically I was in good shape, but mentally? I wasn't sure; and I wasn't sure if I was ready to talk to anyone about that. Including Willow. "No, I just need some motivation that's all. I'll be fine once I get to training camp."

"I'll ease you back into the routine slowly, let's not push your body too hard initially," Giles said. "We'll only do as much as you are ready for."

"As long as you're ready by Garmisch," Snyder added.

"No, I agree with Giles. We have to let the healing process run its course," Dr Rosenberg said.

"But the team championship!" Snyder pushed.

"Snyder, you may as well kiss your precious team gold goodbye if we push her into competition before she's 100% fit. If she gets injured again she'll be out for the rest of the season," Giles argued, with uncharacteristically harshness.

"She's not going to get injured again. That was a freak accident," Dr Rosenberg interrupted.

"We can't take that chance, Sheila," Giles said decisively.

Oh people, how little did you know. It wasn't my body that needed healing. The invisible scars had been there long before the accident.

There wasn't much else to discuss after that. Giles and Dr Rosenberg won this particular battle, but I knew Snyder wouldn't stop piling on the pressure. He had other ways of turning the screws and most of it involved control over my funding. Unlike tennis players or basketball stars, skiers weren't exactly swimming in sponsorship money. No, scrap that. The majority of disabled athletes struggled to make ends meet; depending on charity donations and what little funding we received from our governing bodies.

But if I wasn't doing this, I'd be a telemarketer for a long distance phone carrier. I should be grateful.

Willow took my hand and we were on our way out when Dr Rosenberg stopped us. "Tara, Willow, stay for a minute?"

Giles gave me a stiff hug and an encouraging squeeze on the arm. Snyder tried to take my hand but I pulled away, earning an indignant "humpf" from him. Little did I care.

"How are you two holding up?" Dr Rosenberg asked us after the two officials left.

"Pretty good. I never realized physiotherapy was so hard. Tara's doing so well," Willow answered.

"And Tara, have you talked to Dr Walsh?" Dr Rosenberg asked.

I shrugged. "A couple of times. I don't like her attitude. I have a physical disability, not a mental disorder," I said flatly.

"Maggie is too arrogant for her own good. I hate how Snyder insists on using her. How about another recommendation? I know someone from Stanford--"

"No, I'm fine. I'm all shrinked out," I smiled.

"Are you sure?"

God, when will all of you stop asking me that. "I'm sure."

She seemed to be satisfied, and didn't push. "Alright. So onto something more pleasant, when are you two coming for dinner? We missed you at Thanksgiving."

"Mom, we were kinda busy with all the hospital appointments," Willow said defensively.

"I know, that's what I told your father. But he wants to invite you to spend the holidays with us." Oh, my mother-in-law was smart, use the passive aggressive approach. She must have learned something from Maggie Walsh.

"Well..." I could hear the hesitation in Willow's voice. She wanted me to decide.

"If we're not training or at competition, we'll try our best," I said. Willow's relief was evident as she relaxed and let out the breath she probably didn't know she was holding.

"Great! It's decided. Your Aunt Marie has this wonderful blueberry blintz recipe, I'll get it from her."

"Mom, no fuss," Willow said.

"I want to do something special. Indulge me," Sheila said warmly.

It occurred to me that Willow would fuss just as much, if not more, under similar circumstances. Like mother, like daughter.

We said our goodbyes and headed home. Training wouldn't start till tomorrow.

[center]Image[/center]

I pushed myself very hard to get ready for Garmisch. Inside every successful athlete was a relentless, stubborn, competitive streak that pushed us to our body's limit and then just one extra step I wanted to prove the doubters wrong. The more they expected me not to be ready, the more I was going to prove to them that I was. I was at the gym every day working on weights and circuit training; Giles put me through a strenuous round of coordination and cardio drills; at home I rode on the stationary bike whenever I could. My physical fitness was approaching its optimum peak. Technically, I was feeling sharp.

Blind skiers faced additional challenges obviously, because we couldn't see. That was where the sighted guide came in. In my case, Willow had been my guide since my first world championship-winning season and we had been top ranked for the last three seasons. She skied in front of me and we'd developed a simple system of verbal signals where she could let me know when to turn, when to expect a bump and when to simply pick up speed. I never had any problem hearing her given the adrenalin, the shouts from the crowd and the sounds of our skis cutting over the snow. Many teams used radio, but with us it was like we had this magic, intimate connection.

Or we did. My training times were dismal. At this rate, I'd barely make the qualifying criteria for the Beginner's race.

That was my last thought as there was a sickening clatter and I lost control of my skis. My legs gave way from underneath me and I hurtled uncontrollably in a storm of powder snow. I crashed into the side netting of the slope in a jumble of equipment and body parts. I yelled out in frustration as I tried to disentangle my skis and poles but they seemed to become even more meshed together. I tried lifting my downhill leg only to cry out in pain as it had twisted at an uncomfortable angle.

"Are you hurt? Don't move, I'll get you out," Willow's out-of-breath voice sounded behind me. I registered her presence, and heard other voices approaching the scene of my embarrassment.

"I need to get the stupid bindings off." I ignored her and continued my struggle with the equipment and the slimy netting.

"Tara, stop. You're getting yourself even more trapped. Let me help." She knelt beside me and released the skis. Vaguely I felt her hands on my legs trying to work them free. I was too worked up and it took me a few moments to stop my movements. "Are you hurt?" she asked again.

"Only my ego," I snorted. Ski accidents were notoriously unpredictable. You could break your neck with an innocuous fall into soft snow; or walk away unscathed from a horrendous-looking tumble. I could feel irritation surfacing. "Where the hell were you? I could hardly hear you. I need you to be telling me about these curves and bumps," I said angrily.

She had one hand on my thigh. Her grip tightened for a second before resuming to tear open the netting. "I was in front of you as usual. Gentle left turn into the chicane, you couldn't hear me?" she asked.

"No," I said shortly.

"I know I--" she started to protest.

"Well whatever you signaled didn't get through. It's me getting directions that is more important, and I didn't get proper directions no matter what you claim to have said or not said," I interrupted.

"Tara, I'm not accusing you of, of -- geez I don't want to get started on a game of 'I said you said'. Besides we've skied down this slope thousands of times," she said evenly.

"I see," I seethed. "I stumbled on a bump and almost twisted my leg for the fun of it. I need to be able to trust you, Will. I'm struggling to get my time down, I need you to be at the top of your game too."

I felt, then heard her stiff breath. "This isn't about bumps or curves, is it? You're good enough a skier to handle undulations in the terrain," she sounded irritated. Then she continued quietly. "Do you want another guide?"

"No! I do not want another guide. Why do you think I even thought about getting another guide? Ridiculous," I huffed.

"Methinks the lady doth protest too much," she muttered.

"For fuck's sake Will, stop this. It takes too long to develop any sort of rapport with a new guide. We're a team; we're registered as a team; we compete as a team. That's it."

"So if it was possible you'd want a new guide, is that what you're saying?"

"I'm not saying anything! Stop putting words in my mouth. Do you want to stop being my guide?"

I wanted to lash out. At Willow. At Giles. At anyone. Someone was to blame for me being so out of form. Willow was right, I should be able to do this with my eyes closed even if I weren't blind. I wasn't feeling the snow. It was hard to describe, but to me skiing was letting the snow and the mountain be my guide. It felt like I was being passed from snowflake to snowflake -- instinctively I knew the best route. It felt like floating. But lately, instead of letting the elements glide me downhill, I was using brute force and powering through. It jarred.

She said nothing. From the faint tremors of her fingers I knew she was being bombarded my emotions and close to tears.

I didn't want to break the heavy silence.

She finally got my legs out of the netting. I scooted back until I found a comfortable sitting position. I knew I needed her help to find my skis and poles; and then to put my skis back on. There was so much I took for granted that Willow would do for me.

"Do you want me to talk to Snyder or Giles?" she asked softly as she tapped my knees to get into the correct position to snap the skis on. She was hurt. Even in my self-absorbed, frustrated state of mind, I knew I was being unfair to Willow. She stood by my side as both my team-mate and my lover, it was hard on her too; and no one asked her if she was alright, if she was tired of me.

"No," I found her shoulder and squeezed apologetically. "I'm sorry. I'm being an ass. I don't want another guide." Or another person in my heart.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm sorry," I repeated.

She traced a finger gently along my cheek. I shivered at the unexpected intimacy of the gesture. "We need to get you back on track."

"I don't know what's wrong. I'm four seconds out, it's disgraceful," I sighed.

"If you're not ready, you're not ready. Snyder and the others will need to live with it," she tried to console me.

"I don't know how more ready I can be. I'm fitter than before the accident," I said.

"Is your heart in it?" she asked suddenly.

My instinctive answer was an angry one. How dare she question my commitment, my drive? The retort hovered at the tip of my tongue, then I swallowed it. Was I ready mentally? I thought I was but perhaps I over-estimated myself. Maybe I should turn the question around and ask her.

I was saved from further self-reflection by the arrival of other helpers. In the ensuing round of endless reassurances that I wasn't hurt and a stream of people asking about my well-being, I didn't get a chance to talk to Willow, and the moment passed.

[center]Image[/center]

I crouched on the floor in the corner behind the armchair. There was enough room if I scrunched and brought my knees up so they rested under my chin.

I didn't know how long I had been there.

The front door slammed and hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway, hitting the kitchen first, then storming closer.

"Tara? Where are you, baby?"

I held my breath and made myself into a smaller ball.

I heard her move away, then the air in front of me changed. I let slip a breathy whimper.

The armchair shifted imperceptibly when she squatted down. I turned away.

Even though she tried to remain motionless I could sense her, smell her shampoo and hear her breathing. But I gave no indication or acknowledgment of her presence. I started counting; one, two, three.

"What's wrong?" she finally said.

Twenty-three.

"Tara, talk to me please," she pleaded.

Twenty-six. "Did Giles call you?"

"Yes. You didn't show up for training and he tried calling your cell--"

"I switched it off," I said shortly.

"Why? You got me so worried! I thought you'd been hurt again, I couldn't drive home fast enough."

"You. It's all about you. All of you -- Giles, Snyder, your mom, you. Has anyone BOTHERED to think about me?" I was so close to tears the last few words were stuttered out. It was the last straw, the culmination of a lifetime of frustration and immense pressure. Of having to behave in a certain way; of never being completely independent; of not having control over my own future.

"Move your left arm a bit," she grunted as she tried to squeeze into the already tight space.

"What are you doing?" I asked incredulously. Nevertheless I moved my arm and the only place to put it ended up around her shoulders. For her part she had to almost sit on top of me, sprawling across me with her face resting just over my collarbone.

"Well, were you gonna come out from your hiding place?" she asked.

"No," I admitted.

"So I'm here and now that we're literally joined at the hips you have no choice but to talk to me," she paused. "Talk to me please, baby? Something's bothering you."

"So I blew off one training session. I shaved over one second off my time since last week; I deserve a break. Giles is such a worry-fart sometimes," I started.

"Beeeeeep. I'm sorry Ms Maclay, one bonus point for inventing the term 'worry-fart' but the answer is incorrect. Please try again," she said in her best game-show host voice. She continued softly, "Remember I know you, and you said it yourself: we're a team. How many guides did you go through before you found me?"

"I can't even remember some of their names. All I know is everything clicked the minute you said hi," I smiled thinly as memories came rushing back.

I could feel her smile on my skin. "I had an advantage then. I couldn't take my eyes off you the minute I walked into that room. I was so scared of the adults noticing and kicking me out cuz I was ogling you like a crazed nun."

"Crazed nun?" I smiled back. God she felt so good.

"Well okay, not nun cuz you know, Jewish. And ewww. You know what I mean. I was sixteen and full of hormones! And don't get started with that Ms Manners act, missy. It didn't take you that long either. Who kissed who first, mm?"

"It was our first world cup win. I blame it on the adrenalin," I said mock-righteously.

She harrumphed. "The first peck was adrenalin but not once it escalated. Not the whole three-minute performance, with no sound but photographers clicking their hearts out and everyone's jaw dropping on the floor."

"My god, we were a scandal, weren't we. How many magazine covers did we make? Made a lot of editors happy."

"Giles has all of them in his scrapbook. We looked at it the other day, while you were... were in hospital. I never realized the Newsweek cover caught Giles looking like a funny shade of beetroot, you should have seen it--" she gasped as she stopped herself abruptly. "Shit, I'm sorry."

"Shh, shh. Don't censor yourself. I won't have you watching over every word you say in case it offends me; I definitely don't want you pussyfooting around me the way you have. That's why we've been so out of sorts lately." I felt still and calm. Having Willow so close, feeling the ups and downs of her breathing, it was the closest we'd been for a while. One of the reasons we were such a successful team was because we were almost telepathic. But since the accident, our timing was shot and we were constantly out of sync.

She turned quiet, busy in her own thoughts. "You looked so tiny, so fragile. You had tubes all over you and I had nightmares about you shrinking away. It's all my fault," she said, in her faraway guilty voice.

I wanted to smack her and envelope her in a bear hug at the same time. "It was a drunk driver who ran a red-light. None of it is your fault." I made do with tightening my hold on her.

"I was the one driving. Some part of me will always blame me. If I could have swerved a little more to the left, or hit the brakes sooner," she trailed off into a soundless sob.

"Will, listen to me. It was an accident, there was nothing you could have done. Without you by my side, I wouldn't have recovered so quickly. You know that don't you? I know you've been overcompensating; now throw all that guilt away." I said the truth.

"I was afraid you'd leave me. That you wouldn't need me anymore. That first you'd have me replaced as your guide. Then you--you'd find someone else," she sobbed.

I felt so small. That I've led her to think the unthinkable. "Hey, we're a team. No, we're more than that. I'll always need you. I can't imagine life without you. I'm sorry I've been a bitca lately. I've been too focused on myself, I'm not so good with the ..." I wagged my finger back and forth between us.

She must have looked puzzled. "Stirring things up?"

"Communication. Telling you how I feel; talking to you instead of letting things fester."

"I love you, Tara." That was all I needed to hear from her.

We felt something that had been awry slot back into place. The emptiness, the jarring, the fear of fading away ... they began to dissipate with one kiss. Then another, and when I opened my mouth to let her exploring tongue inside, it was like the rush of warmth filling a chasm.

We were still in that tight little space behind the armchair, and I desperately wanted to reach under her clothes to start my own exploration. It took some strategic maneuvering, and I almost reached my target when she squirmed and stopped me.

"What?" I had the sense to protest rather than to try another way.

"You think you can kiss me senseless and I'll forget the reason why we're cooped here in this corner? Now spill. What's bugging you?"

I knew her. She wouldn't accept any explanation but the truth. I had been bottling it up for too long already. I wasn't ready to tell her last week when we started training, but I had to let it out eventually.

I swallowed hard. "I can't see."

Her stumped silence told me that she did not expect that statement. I could almost hear her brain whirling through the different responses. From the obvious "but that's nothing new" to the caring "I'll do anything to make it better".

"I don't know what to say," she said eventually.

"I'm blind, of course I can't see. But now I've lost the little peripheral vision I had, I feel so disconnected," I tried to explain. "I'll never see leaves falling on the ground, or ice cream melting in the sun. And your face. I'm so scared, Will. What if I forget how you look?"

Before the accident I could make out general shapes and colors if they were close enough and in a particular spot. I knew that it was always a risk, that my sight would become worse as I grow older, but I was able to ignore those dark thoughts. The accident changed everything in a split second. I should hate that driver, but I hadn't even bothered to find out his name.

"I don't think you'll forget me that easily. If you start forgetting how I look, I'll show you in more ways that you can imagine. When you scream my name, it's my image that will be imprinted in your brain," she said determinedly.

Oh, at that moment I could believe her.

"I hate being in B1," I swallowed and continued.

"Because you have no real competition in that class?" she asked as she got it immediately.

I nodded. "It's like giving a grad student a 12th grade math test. I feel like I'm getting a free pass that I don't want. Which in turns makes me lazy and arrogant. Hence the sucky training times."

"All champions need to have arrogance, otherwise they'd never get where they are. You'll win this year's world cup by the biggest margin ever. And next year we'll set about seeing if you can be classed as B2."

"You make it sound so easy," I said. Competing against athletes with better sight than me without the handicap adjustment, that would be a challenge. It was unprecedented, but we'd done a lot of unprecedented things in our career.

"You and I need to communicate better too. I can't help but think all these -- the accident, us drifting apart, you not finding your balance -- are connected. You know, like every thread in the universe is connected. And when one gets broken all the other strands try to keep everything in balance but ends up straining themselves. You get what I'm saying?" she explained.

And there in that moment she hit the truth right where it counted -- the effort to deal with everything all at once meant nothing was properly addressed.

In other words, we were both trying too hard.

I should have talked to her earlier. I'd missed her quick brain, how much she cared about me and most of all her unfailing optimism. She was more than just the person who told me to turn left and right, she was my senses, my conduit with the outside world. Other teams had perfect communication, but Willow and I had a deeper bond. Now that we found it again, there was no way on earth that I would let it slip.

Cementing the bond took more than words. We didn't need to say anything, because she knew and I knew that our commitment to each other was forever. After we extracted ourselves from our spot I took her into the bedroom and we were not shy about showing how much.

Giles called a few times that day, but all he got was our voicemail.

[center]Image[/center]

"You want to what?" Willow yelled over the biting wind.

"Walk the course again," I yelled back.

"There's a snowstorm coming in, the race is suspended. They want us inside, Tara." She grabbed my hand and tried to lead us in the direction of our dormitory.

"Please, Will, one more time. I want the course etched in my mind," I pleaded.

We were in Garmisch. It would be a clichéd, overly dramatic fairy tale if I were to say that spending a day and a night making love with Willow was like feeding me Popeye-brand spinach and I returned to the slopes immediately the next day acing every event. Ha! I could even imagine the sweeping music and a cartoon Tara rising like a Phoenix from a pit of fiery chains holding me back. No, in reality re-connecting with Willow was a catalyst. One burden shed, a weight lifted -- whatever the metaphor it was a boost but it was hard training that mattered. Two days before we were due to fly out to Germany, my team had a meeting and agreed that I should go. This time, I was the one who was the most vocal about it.

I competed in all four events -- downhill, super G, giant slalom and slalom. Five first places were up for grabs -- one for each event and one for the overall event. Each event required different abilities, ranging from flat out speed in the downhill to technical agility in the slalom.

I took a big risk in the first downhill run, deciding to take the fastest, and steepest, line. My constant shouts of "faster! faster!" pushed even Willow, herself an accomplished competitive skier, to her limits. Most people imagined the communication between a skier and her guide to be one way, with the guide shouting directions such as "left" or "stop". A truly effective team worked together, with the skier telling the guide when to speed up or slow down.

I knew I had to set a good time; partially for my self-confidence but mostly motivated by wanting to throw down the gauntlet. I almost fell several times during that breakneck run, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to recover. I led the field by 39 seconds going into the second run.

My second run was less smooth, and I was less kamikaze knowing that all I needed was to finish with a decent time. My closest rival, a B2 skier from Canada, managed to close the time gap but was not fast enough to beat my combined time. I was jubilant as they announced that I had won the downhill event.

One down, four to go.

The super G was the Canadian skier's best event, so it came as no surprise when she won it. What was disappointing was that she edged me out of the lead in the overall points position. She held that lead after the giant slalom; although I won that event it was only by a few tenths of a second and not enough to overtake her in the overall leaders board.

This is the big one.

Each event took place over a day, so when we went to bed I was hyped up in anticipation of the slalom. I fully utilized Willow's numeric skills, asking her to run multiple models of finishing times -- mine as well as the top five racers. In slalom skiing, racers were often separated by a few tenths of a second: there was no room for error. One thing was clear, from her calculations, even with my B1 adjustment I still had to win the slalom outright to take the overall event.

Pumped up on adrenalin, I tossed and turned in our bed. After our first world cup win and the Newsweek cover there was no doubt that Will and I were a couple. That had never caused any problems with the ski federation or with other competitors. Perhaps it was solidarity between minorities; many if not all the disabled athletes had been on the receiving end of some form of discrimination and went out of their way to not be bigots.

I woke up early the morning before the race and turned in the direction of the window in my eternal quest for sunlight. It wasn't to be, but I focused my mind -- there was work to be done. We showered and quickly made our way to the equipment room. Our skis had to be sharpened and waxed before every race. Like most racers I insisted in waxing them myself.

The race was scheduled in the afternoon. Mid-morning was the official inspection. When it was our turn we snow-plowed through the gates very slowly, memorizing the layout and peculiarities of the course.

We were just about to start the second round of inspections when the blizzard hit. The officials herded us inside with ruthless efficiency and announced that the race was suspended. Some of the racers camped out at the cafeteria; others returned to their dormitories to rest.

There was an evaluation after lunch and it was announced that conditions were too unstable for further competition that day. The slalom was rescheduled for the next morning. If the storm persisted the race would be canceled and the results after three races would be final.

That was bad news for Team Maclay. If the slalom was canceled I would be stuck at second place overall. With my absence from the circuit after the accident, it would be harder and harder for me to catch up.

I need the storm to pass.

I'd sat in our room for hours, getting increasingly angsty. Finally I snapped. I tore out of our room, stopping just long enough to grab my jacket, and stomped resolutely in the direction of the course. I had a general idea of where it was but I knew I wouldn't get too far before Willow caught me. And that was where we were now, standing at the foot of the mountain that held my fate.

"Please, Will, one more time. I want the course etched in my mind," I pleaded.

She stopped in her tracks. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes I'm sure," I affirmed.

"You know my toes are frozen and I can hardly see with the snow falling into my eyes," she said.

"But you'll come with me anyway," I grinned.

"The hell I'm gonna let you go out there on your own," she was grinning back. I didn't need to see her to know. "Come on."

We trudged up the soft snow, thankful that the course was on the lower slopes. We were pretty exhausted when we reached the starting gate, and had to stop for a breather.

"Giles will have a fit," I commented.

"Not to mention the IBSA, knowing that we're out here doing recon without one of the judges present. They probably think we're out here to sabotage the course," she added.

"Like what? Move the poles so it confuses the other teams? The race will be declared void faster than you can say après ski party. What motivation would I have?" I snorted.

"You know that's not how they think. Remember, it's a federation that has rules numbered like 1402.8.2."

"Straight after your own heart, Ms I-have-a-spreadsheet-that-catalogs-everything-I-own?"

She playfully punched me on the arm. "And who used those kickass spreadsheet skills to help a very persuasive ski racer work out that she needs to post a time faster than 2:33:48 to win?"

I threw my hands up in mock surrender. "I give up! You can magic number me anytime."

"I most certainly can." She tilted my chin for a soft kiss. "Let's map this winning course of yours."

[center]Image[/center]

Are you ready?

I heard the question in my dreams all night. If the demons were expecting to disorientate me they were mistaken. I woke up with steel in my heart, I didn't even stop to look for the light of the sun. Unless there was a miracle cure I wasn't ever going to see sunrises or sunsets. It was time to stop searching for the impossible and go after something that was possible.

Yes I am, you bastards.

"I've heard you scream profanities in the privacy of our bedroom that would make Cartman blush, but you've never called me a bastard before," Willow's voice broke into my pensive brooding.

"What? Oh. I was just talking to myself," I said off-handedly.

She placed a gloved hand on mine. "Nervous?"

I swallowed. "A little," I said.

"Would it worry you if I said I was too?" she confessed.

"No, I wouldn't expect it any other way," I actually felt re-assured that she was nervous too. Strange how emotions work.

"I'll be with you all the way, don't forget that," she said stoutly.

I smiled gratefully. "I know. Thank you, my love."

"Okay, our turn," she returned to her official guide voice. "Three side steps up, then the Starter will take your hand. Oh, here comes Giles."

I caught the faint whiff of Giles' aftershave as he hurried up. "Everything ready?" he asked.

I had no hesitation in answering. "Yes. Ready." I held out one gloved fist.

"Good. Then see you at the finish. Good luck." His fist touched mine in a salute.

The starter official called out my name. We stepped forward and spent a few seconds confirming our identity, listening to the inevitable rules and having our equipment checked. We both had to wear regulation-approved helmets and as a B1 racer I wore blacked-out goggles (to totally ensure that I couldn't see and 'earning' my adjustment points). Willow, as a guide, wore a fluorescent green bib with a large black "G" printed on both sides. I asked once if it bothered her, to be wearing it; her answer warmed my heart: "I feel privileged, to be honest."

Willow guided me to the middle of the track behind the start gate and I shuffled until my shin guards touched the metallic needle. Standing behind me she took my left arm and pointed it at my initial racing line. We brought my ski pole down until it rested on the snow, still pointing along the racing line. I turned my head to face directly where my arm was pointing. After fixing my starting position I remained motionless, waiting for the starter bell.

Willow didn't go through the start gate, taking her position a few feet downhill from me. She would take over directional duties once I started but the first steps out of the gate made a huge impact on how the race would flow.

I took several deep breaths to clear my mind. I shifted until I was completely relaxed, rocking my skis back and forth to balance myself.

The bell rang.

A loud cheer went up through the crowds as I pushed out of the gate. As I experienced the initial drop I felt a blast of adrenalin rushing through my body; I wouldn't deny that I looked forward to this rush every time I competed. It was ... arousing.

I turned my skis in the direction I was pointing, and in no time at all I was at the first gate. I kept upright, and tried to keep my upper body still. Most of the work would be done by my hips and legs. It was the most difficult discipline for a blind skier because of the quick directional change.

I negotiated gate after gate, whacking the poles out of my path with my boots or arms. The plastic poles, although flexible, were hard and when they landed on a body part that wasn't protected by padding it hurt. But I didn't feel anything.

I'm flowing.

I found my rhythm and the rhythm overwhelmed all other sensations; I lost awareness and the only sensation was cutting through the snow in slow motion. The whoosh of the poles snapping next to my head, my skis skimming the surface of the snow, the sizzle of the air as I sliced through combined to send waves of vibration through me.

I'm floating.

With the course layout deeply imprinted in my mind, I only vaguely acknowledged Willow's directions. I carved through the turns with a clean action, as if on autopilot, knowing when to turn, when to skid and when a gate was coming up.

I'm feeling the snow.

I felt an effortless merging of action and my awareness. I was in complete control and yet I couldn't control it. I let go, and let whatever part of myself -- mind, spirit or body -- take over.

And then, I started enjoying it. I gradually heard shouts from the spectators, who always liked to punctuate their cries of encouragement with the distinctive ring of cowbells. Above that explosive maelström of noise, I could hear Willow distinctively. Instead of our usual simple signal system, her "come on Tara, follow me" whispered like a tendril inside my head.

Then I sailed through the final gate and assumed a tuck position for the final few meters' run to the finish line. I didn't remember stopping, but I must have in a flurry of snow. I didn't need to check the time, nor did I need a second run. I knew I'd done it. The overall win was mine. There were tears and laughter and hugs and joy and then Willow's lips found mine.



The End
[br]

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:06 am 
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DIIIIBS!

ETA: :x :luv watty, dear, that was soooooooo sweet :x

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:29 am 
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Debra, what a great two-fer from you to start off the series. I swear I have seen the first two movies, and at least half listened to the third, but like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, they all sort of run together in my mind. That said, I love the idea of HP and the main characters, and you did a wonderful job translating that to the Buffy-verse so that even a rube like myself can get it. Dickie Wilkins? Awesome!

I could really 'see' the action of the matches...picture Willow careening just this side of recklessly through the sky, her hair whipping around her face. The action sequences were very vivid throughout, even with the hysterically unhelpful play-by-play of Cordy and Dru...and you are brilliant for putting them together.

I also really liked the way you have Willow being the charming, gently persistent pursuer. In less skilled hands, it might have bordered on stalking, but you wrote her in such a way that she came off as wonderfully romantic. The "tell me you don't want to go out with me" interaction was absolutely lovely, Of course Tara can't say that, but I like her trying to hedge around the question and being the practical one.

I really wasn't expecting the dark turn of events, which I probably would have been better prepared for if I was an HP fan. And even though Angel has a history of being bad, and you did put him in Slytherin...it was just shocking and scary and I'd have wanted to go beat the crap out of him if you hadn't swung us directly over to the hospital to find not only Willow. but Faith hurt as well. I imagine that's how the others feel, and it was well done. And of course, Willow's near-death experience knocks down Tara's wall of reluctance, and kisses make everything better. Le sigh.


And what's a sporting event without a nice refreshing shower afterwards? Or even a rushed, post-workout, verging on spaz attack shower? Just the phrase "communal showers" sends me into a nauseous panic, as far removed from high school as I am. But this was lovely. Willow's inner monologue is hysterical, especially the 'maybe she's a gym bag manufacturer' and 'blame Tara for her hotness' bits.

I think my favorite part was how you so skillfully created the image of Tara squeezing out an entire tube of toothpaste just to have an excuse to talk to Willow, and that despite her observational skills, Willow didn't quite make that connection. Apricot toothpaste, though? Yikes. Is there really such a thing? In any event, go Tara with the being brave (and not about the toothpaste). Nicely done.

-Cam

ETA: DAMMIT! I knew Watty was going to post before I got this done! :happy

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:32 am 
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Shower Scene: Hee. There's something about love at first sight in a situation like that which makes me laugh.

Vision Quest: Wow. I...er...em...I honestly don't know what to say, watty. I don't know what I was thinking to expect with this story, but I gotta tell ya, it sure as hell wasn't that.

I am, of course, saying that with the utmost respect, because as I said before, other than Debra's story, which I liked a lot, I had no idea what the other stories were going to be like. I especially wondered how the skiing thing was going to work out, since I didn't really think that would lend itself to a interesting story.

But you did that. And you did that in the way I least could have imagined.

By making Tara blind, and building up the situation around that rather than the competition. To be honest, this story could have been just about anything else. Hell, it could have been about golf and I'd still enjoy it, because at the end of the day, what I found more interesting was the emotional journey that our girls went on, which I think would work in any situation.

And while I enjoyed all of it, I was most heartwrenched by this.

watty wrote:
"I'm blind, of course I can't see. But now I've lost the little peripheral vision I had, I feel so disconnected," I tried to explain. "I'll never see leaves falling on the ground, or ice cream melting in the sun. And your face. I'm so scared, Will. What if I forget how you look?"


You've certainly got a knack for doing angst.

Good show.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:34 am 
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Gotta love the cowbells LOL.
Great writing.


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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:50 pm 
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Watty,

Such powerful stuff. Your word choice brought to life so many nuances:

With this opening description, you got me to feel the darkness of Tara's world.
Quote:
I turned in the direction of the bedroom window to try to feel the warmth of the early morning sun, but there was only the perpetual chill of the unrelenting darkness.


And this simple sentence laid bare the tension and overwhelming disconnection between them.
Quote:
She retreated, taking with her the thickness of a thousand unsaid questions.


Associating Tara and Willow's reconnection with Tara's improving performance and confidence on the slopes made both journeys more powerlful.

Thanks for taking me along for the ride.

Michelle

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:35 pm 
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When I read the summary, I wondered what twist could possibly be thrown into skiing. And God, that was a good twist.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:28 pm 
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Hello Kittens-

Never got into HP so the first was okay. The shower as a start for a wonderful Willow POV was cute, and it caught that wonderful dance between two people hoping this might be something more. But Vision Quest was powerful, well done, and wonderful. Tara was captured beautifully and her world view was beautifully done.

I'm a sucker for anthologies anyway. Waiting for more.


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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:08 am 
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Thanks for this! The Quidditch story was fun....the game was exciting and picturing angel on a broom made me laugh :)

Shower scene - Sigh. I always place myself in Willow's shoes, meeting someone gorgeous like Tara and obsessing etc and then finding out she's interested in l'il ol' me. Course the story of my life is that interest is just never there...;) Just kidding. I'm all happily hitched to my dream woman and I feel exceedingly lucky to be married to my 'crush'.

The skiing story just blew me away! Melancholy Tara. Snappy, bitchy, bitter, and stressed Tara. It was all so real and understandable. Very well done! I don't know why, but I was touched so deeply by this story that I shed a few tears right the way through. Surprising cuz I'm not usually like that...did I mention 'well done'?!

S


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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:36 am 
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Debra: I am among those rare specimens that have never read or watched a Harry Potter book/movie. So basically I had no idea what quidditch meant/was, but the summary was enlightening and the story was exciting. I could really get into the feel of the match and the way you portraited Willow's adoration for Tara was simply too cute for words. Thanks for another spectacular story. Guess I'm gonna have to rent the movies, since I really don't have time for the books.

The first shower scene was adorable. I mean...spazz Willow has a soft place in my heart. I melt at her babbling and borderline pathological organization. I can't wait to see what other suprises lay under your sleeve.

watty: my dear, dear friend...what can I say? Already mentioned you made me shed more than a couple of tears. I loved, loved, loved your story. Especially the fact that you wrote it so that it didn't revolve around Tara losing her sight sooner than expected. To me it felt like she lost the ability to get a hold of her own life and the way she experienced it because she didn't *feel* it. And of course she didn't feel it: her life has always been run by other people, she was in a serious, life-threatening accident and she doesn't feel connected to her guide/lover/partner...
like you said...it would have happened to anyone who would have gone through the same, blind or not. In all...an awesome story. Well done, buddy.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:35 pm 
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I find myself growing more athletic with every word I read. Must leave now and go in search of a locker room. Ahem.

Gonna leave fb for Debra first, and the come back for Watty. (Because really--who could ever leave Watty behind?)

I really like your POV in this one, Debra. Willow-babble of the interior monologue is even trickier, I think, than that of the spoken kind. It's easy to reduce her to some kind of Faulkerian idiot woman-child, but here you retain the internal consistency to let us know that while she may have no trust in her actions, her mind is going at lightning speed. I also think your story reflects one of the interesting things about crushes and first impressions: often we're so wrapped up in our own neuroses and insecurities, and the other person seems like such a shining beacon of cuteness (if not perfection), that we either don't notice the signs of their own crushdom or we misinterpret it. Here, the reader can pick up on Tara's interest well before Willow can.

And beautiful women in a locker room...Well, I mean, really...

Sigh...

Thanks for the great read, Debra!
Mary

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:19 pm 
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Bit of a late starter, me, to the proceedings but that's what happens when you take a week's vacation so here's my admittance fee and let the feedback begin.
Quidditchy Goodness
A very well-thought and detailed extension of the Hogwarts school environment and seamlessly woven into J.K. Rowling's universe so as to render any Muggles with the Confundis for not believing that it could happen this way.
Not only is Angel a cheat but he's a gutless cheat as well. Fancy using the Cruciatus Curse in midair upon Willow and playing mindgames with her by trash-talking about Tara.
It is a dilemna in any heroic universe which is so clearly delineated between good and evil that one can be overwhelmed by the impending and oppressive weight of the darkness encroaching upon them that those on the side of good forget to live and revel in what light there is left until even the last rays are blotted out from the sky.
Tara is reluctant to declare her feelings for Willow and embrace the pleasures which Willowflesh offers in this dark and foreboding time.
It is only when Tara is faced with the consequences that her hesitancy and her quest t Willow has wrought that she sees that it is only through making each moment count and standing together hand in hand and tongue darting feverishly with tongue that the light shall stave off the dark.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 10:32 pm 
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Quote:
like I’m being picked last for kickball in fourth grade or something. I mean sure, if Xander was captain he would pick me so I wouldn’t be last but other than that? Lasty McLast you can call me.


Oh, the shame and pain of it all, I remember it well. Psychic scars that never heal and make you run to a secure place and read Willow/Tara smut to be comforted.

Quote:
she saw me sneaking peeks at her in the shower. Which, really, it’s kind of her fault about the peeks because if she didn’t want me to thinks she’s so hot, she shouldn’t be so hot

I love how Willow reasons this out and it makes perfect sense to me in a cause and effect kind of way.
How could anyone not be swayed and then swoon over how adorable Willow is when she babbles and opines about the esoteric nature of flavored toothpaste and the disproportionate return value of apricot toothpaste versus dinner?

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:26 am 
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Dear Ms. Watson,

While the story you wrote was beautiful, thought-provoking, and exciting (we are not skiers but we were captivated by the final section), we here at the Sunnydale Zoning Commission must regretfully revoke your visiting privileges. As you will know by reading our Resident Composition Manual, we do not allow more than two (2) non-majority persons within the city limits at any given time. Willow and Tara, as lesbians, have taken those two (2) spots. If Tara is both blind and lesbian, she must break up with Willow to retain her citizenship. Or not be blind.

We're sure you understand.


OK, so this was--in my estimation--your best work yet. I love that you don't blurt out the fact of her blindness; you make us realize it. As someone who is at least temporarily able-bodied, it brought home how easy it is for me to assume certain things about the characters before me. Good for you for making me face that.

One of the things you captured so well is that difficult dance b/w someone who, for whatever reason, needs a certain kind and amount of assistance and the person who provides that. How do you maintain balance? Make sure that each person helps the other? And for the person with the disability, what do you do w/ the frustration you feel? This person clearly wants to help you, and yet...I could feel Willow trying to find the right words; guarding those words and her actions so carefully. We use the concept of vision so much: I see what you mean; It looks like--and that's just to name two.

I love the fact that it was when they literally blocked out the rest of the world that they truly came together. Shut out the sound and the fury and the madding crowds. Here are we two; what's going on? I loved Tara's internal discussion of how they communicated and what made that special; how it in some ways transcended words and certainly transcended visuals.

Thanks so much for this great story, Watty. I really did enjoy it immensely.

Mary

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:25 am 
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Watty - Hi there. Well, I am so incredibly impressed with this story. It's probably my favorite thing since Common Areas. You know I love KAR and all your stuff but this is amazingly powerful and really creative. First, I have to give you props because I didn't even know that blind skiing existed. I mean I guess it's only logical: they have all kinds of sport competitions for all different populations. But I certainly wasn't aware of it. You seem to not only know that the sport exists but know a great deal about classification, technique, training, funding, etc. Speaking of which, during the Slalom, does Willow ski through the gates ahead of Tara or off to the side? If Willow skiis through them, if she misses one, does that count against Tara?

Now to the "meat" of the story. The way you allowed this to unfold was just spectacular. You allowed the reader a real insight into Tara's blindness in a way that the reader was virtually forces the reader to close his/her eyes and wonder, "what would that be like?" I was relieved to finally find out what moved Tara from a state of less blind to complete and total blindness. The accident? What a horrible experience. I mean obviously she'd been living her entire life (or since she was ten) knowing that her vision would deteriorate but to have it then be gone suddenly and finally? That would have to be terrible.

I love in particular how you illustrate some seeming truths of human emotion. First, the way it seems like Tara and Willow are on the "same team" but can't believe in each other for a while. It's like they need an opponent and not finding one, Tara makes it Willow. She shuts her out and gets all snappy and unfriendly even though it's so not Willow's fault. And an extension of this is that the fact is that they have no one concrete to blame. Tara's mad at the driver or thinks she should be and Willow is mad at herself and guilty but the truth is that "things happen" which sucks but it's kind of true. But what's bad is that that sort of realization doesn't allow us anyone to direct our anger at. It's just there so they can't direct it and both of them direct it at Willow. Arggghhh. It's so hard and it's so human to just feel like that.

I'm super impressed. And finally, the lasting mental impression of a Willow who is enthralled with Tara from the first time she sees her and a 3-minute first kiss while cameras click. Yes, I can imagine that was quite a shock for some people. Well done.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 11:24 pm 
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Blind skiing. Who knew?
Then again, it does make sense once you actually devote several minutes of hard thought to the idea and realize that with their heightened senses, all that is needed are sensory cues and guides to help them navigate the terrain.
Being placed in a special category or having to deal with people's hyper-sensitivity to uncomfortable and unfamiliar mods of living can make anyone question themselves and they inevitably lash out.
Nice way of handling all of the issues surrounding Tara''s challenge.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 1:26 pm 
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I haven't read this yet, watty... but I will soon. You're such a great writer, and I know this story is going to be great.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:19 pm 
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That was a wonderful story.

Firstly I liked the way we were able to get into Tara's head, experiencing her blindness and her frustration over the accident and her lack of form since it.

Also, even though we didn't see things from Willow's point of view, you did give us a good glimpse of what she was feeling. Her guilt over the accident, which made her doubt her ability as a guide. This reduced the synergy between her and Tara which made her doubt herself even more.

I liked the conclusion of the story. How they were able to start dealing with their issues by discussing them with each other.

It was a very well written story,

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:27 pm 
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Watty!

Your imagination astounds me. Where did this come from?

It has so much depth and it just... fascinates me.

I love the complexity of your characters... the way they interact with each other but also with themselves. There's always this vibrant and plot-integral internal dialogue. This story is beautiful and I loved the way it unfolded - it was almost like it started out completely black and you started filling in shadows and eventually the whole picture - motiviations, conflict, resolution, all came into sharp focus. Brilliant! Really.

I am sorry to leave such brief feed back... I am in the midst of crazily packing and must head out in the morning to take the long road home.

I love the story Watty!

db

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:47 am 
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Debra: You're 2 for 2. woo hoo! I have to admit that I am not much of fan of HP, but you're story was still very interesting and incorporates the universe nicely. You have a good writing style and this was certainly no exception to that rule. And bonus shower scene...yay! What a great short with a nice, casual conversation tone. The details are well done. I can't imagine when I would need a business card pocket in a shower bag but that is so very Willow. So is the precise way she gathers info on Tara (arrives at 5:40, etc). But bleh to apricot toothpaste...that's actually been banned in our house. I can't stand the taste of it on me or the missus. Anyway, great works.


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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:34 am 
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Vision Quest – Wonderful one-shot. Much enjoyed, much appreciated. Thanks, watty.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:58 pm 
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Cam – I’m just teasing. I’m actually surprised at the number of people who aren’t HP fans. It’s been an education for me for sure. Either way, though, I’m glad that the translation came through clean.

I’m also glad to hear that you could picture the action of the game. I have to admit that the Quidditch coverage is one of the things I find most impressive about the movies. It’s so cool to get a chance to see a sport that just plain doesn’t exist in our universe.

Quote:
even with the hysterically unhelpful play-by-play of Cordy and Dru...and you are brilliant for putting them together.
Thanks. The play-by-play is a recurring theme and joke in the books. For a while it’s done by a very smart-mouthed student and a very straight-laced professor. Then they sort of test out different announcers and it gets truly hysterical as all of them have their own agendas.

I really enjoy having Willow be the pursuer in their relationship. While it seems reasonable in canon that Tara was the pursuer, in most universes, I see Willow as being a more logical initiator. I’m glad that she didn’t’ seem stalkery. I would imagine that for the first few years, Tara didn’t take her seriously given their age differences.

Quote:
I really wasn't expecting the dark turn of events, which I probably would have been better prepared for if I was an HP fan.
Lol. I kind of wasn’t expecting it either but it just happened that way. There they were with all the adrenalin and evil and Angel just let out with an unforgivable curse. I will say that generally being injured in the HP-verse is less bad than being injured in our verse. HP once lost all the bones in an arm and they didn’t regrow until the next morning. So Willow’s in bad shape but Faith’s injuries wouldn’t have been that unusual in their world. And of course Tara’s going to come around when threatened with just how dangerous their existence is.

Quote:
Or even a rushed, post-workout, verging on spaz attack shower?
A very good description at that. The communal shower situation can be so the blech and I’m glad to get a comment on Tara’s supposed gym bag manufacturer creds. Thanks.

Quote:
I think my favorite part was how you so skillfully created the image of Tara squeezing out an entire tube of toothpaste just to have an excuse to talk to Willow, and that despite her observational skills, Willow didn't quite make that connection.
Thank you. I thought it was quite obvious but you’re the first person to mention it.

Quote:
Apricot toothpaste, though? Yikes. Is there really such a thing?
My wife is currently completely grossed out by mint flavors so she’s using Apricot toothpaste. I haven’t tried it because given how much I hate apricot I can’t imagine that I’d enjoy the toothpaste.

Thanks.

SithLordWiccan – Thanks. If not love at first sight, at least lust…

jixer – “Okay”. Well, I’ll take it…

Thanks for your thoughts on the shower scene. Yes, a dance.

shiraz – I’m gald you enjoyed the story and the Angel visual. I hadn’t really thought about him on the broom but I tried to picture him as a kid and saw a dark broody image. Tee hee.

I’m glad you liked the shower scene and could relate and of course more glad about your happiness.

Kaia – Hey there. I hope your hand is doing better. As my son said last night when he hit his head on the doorknob… “Owie Zowie.” Well, it seems that there more non-HP people than I imagined when I came up with this idea. I’m happy that you found the description of the action exciting nonetheless. Definitely rent the movies: they’re worth a watch.

Thanks for your thoughts on the shower scene. Yep, Willow’s a spazz and an organizational freak but she’s cute.

Thanks.

Mary – Wow, reading can make me more athletic? I’ve got to try that. I guess it could work like in the Matrix…

Thanks for your thoughts on the willowbabble. I think that you’re right and that it’s so easy to fall into really making her a cartoon rather than a person who we all know and love. And yes, as you point out, she may be silly and immature about women but she’s still the brilliant Willow we know.
Quote:
I also think your story reflects one of the interesting things about crushes and first impressions: often we're so wrapped up in our own neuroses and insecurities, and the other person seems like such a shining beacon of cuteness (if not perfection), that we either don't notice the signs of their own crushdom or we misinterpret it. Here, the reader can pick up on Tara's interest well before Willow can.
Very much so. Thanks.

Thanks.

taralicious
Quote:
… so as to render any Muggles with the Confundis for not believing that it could happen this way.
Lol! Awesome.

Yes, Angel is a horrible person. I actually checked with Chris (who has the complete rules) to ensure that it would be reasonable that Angel and Willow would both have their wands while playing.

Quote:
It is a dilemna in any heroic universe which is so clearly delineated between good and evil that one can be overwhelmed by the impending and oppressive weight of the darkness encroaching upon them that those on the side of good forget to live and revel in what light there is left until even the last rays are blotted out from the sky.
Wow, that’s so well put I feel like it’s better than my story was. And yes, Tara finally realizes the need for living now and loving now.

Thanks for your feedback. You’ve definitely paid your admittance price.

taralicious again – I hear you on the shame and pain of being picked last as I saw how much it upset people. I have to admit that I was a pretty good athlete as a child so I didn’t really experience that. Plus which I had a sister who was an amazing athlete so people wanted to earn points with her and picked me to go with her (not that it would have mattered to her).

I’m really happy that everyone has enjoyed the hotness bits because I really couldn’t decided if it as all too much or if it was legitimate. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Quote:
How could anyone not be swayed and then swoon over how adorable Willow is when she babbles and opines about the esoteric nature of flavored toothpaste and the disproportionate return value of apricot toothpaste versus dinner?
See, it’s totally cute and I’d be impressed although I think lots of people wouldn’t be.

Cyd
Quote:
You're 2 for 2. woo hoo!
So as long as you’re the official scorer, I’m batting 1.000. right back. Tee hee.

Nice to read that you enjoyed the story even without being a HP fan.

If I haven’t mentioned it, the shower scenes were suggested by Cam. That one was the first and easiest to write. I’m with you on the whole business card thing given that I don’t ever carry them but then… I wish it would be possible to ban apricot toothpaste not because I’m so grossed out by it but because that possibly would mean that my wife wasn’t grossed out by mint toothpaste. Ah… pregnancy.

Thanks.

[center]Image[/center]

Story Title – Shower Scenes #2

Author – JustSkipIt

Pairing – T/W

Feedback – Yes, please

Spoilers – None

Rating – NC-17

Disclaimer – Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own Willow and Tara and the Buffyverse. No copyright infringement is meant by this fic and I will not make any money from it.


Tara checked her watch again. Her heart rate was at 86% of max which was right on target for minute 48 of a 55 minute run. She began to slow down, looking at the trees with appreciation. She'd only found this park in the last few weeks.

Her new job was stressful but rewarding. After two months she barely felt like she knew half the things the company did but it was successful and rising. And the boss was an enigma. She'd heard the rumors from the time she started. Willow Rosenberg never slept. She ate only take-out and drank only coffee. She never went home. She lived in the office.

The redhead was beautiful but very driven. Tara had heard that the her boss wanted to be the youngest woman to own a Fortune 500 company (without inheriting her wealth) and she seemed well on the way to her goal. When Tara had gone to her with questions, Willow had fixed her with an intent look, listened carefully, asked insightful questions, and prompted Tara to solve the issue on her own. And each time she had walked the blonde personally to the door to thank her for her visit.

Others complained that Willow was a ball-buster, a bitch, a hard-ass. Terms that Tara hated. She didn't' seem like a hard-ass to Tara but the blonde hadn't been there that long.

And then Tara had discovered this park. Tuesdays and Thursdays she volunteered in the evening at a community center. Normally she went to dinner to kill time but then she had started running again and loved it. The only thing was that she didn't want to go to the center all sweaty. Luckily the office had showers and a locker room on the ground floor. You had to have a key card to get in and Tara wasn't even sure if everyone's key card worked the lock but hers did.

Two weeks earlier, she had taken her run on Tuesday and then used her key card to get into the locker room:

[blockquote]"Well, don't just stand there letting cold air come in."

Tara knew that her eyes bugged out as she looked at her boss, standing naked under a shower nozzle, obviously attempting to soap her back. "I um... I mean my key opened the door and I thought that I... I was r-r-running." Idiot!

The redhead seemed completely at ease in spite of her current state of undress. She slowly looked Tara up and down and then smiled equally slowly. "You look like you could use a shower as well. Care to join me?"

Tara gulped. There was really no way to misinterpret the implication. And it wasn't like she hadn't had thoughts like that about her new boss. But this? Um. In the corporate locker room/shower? Was she serious?

Willow turned her body so that her front took the spray from the nearest nozzle. "See? I'm not even looking now."

The blonde considered the situation. She could leave but she wouldn't get clean for her volunteering shift not to mention... She stepped over to the bench and stripped off her clothes, dropping them on the floor. Then she opened the locker she had claimed earlier and pulled out a towel which she put on the edge of the bench. Four shower nozzles protruded from the wall but Willow was using the middle two so Tara was forced to turn on the one at one end and step under the water. She wasn't surprised as the redhead tilted her head slightly to watch her.

It was all kinds of uncomfortable. Willow wasn't washing herself or anything. She was just standing there under the water and stealing glances her way. "I volunteer Tuesday and Thursday nights so I though that I c-could run and then shower and not have to g-g-go home." She attempted to soap up her back as she spoke.

"It looks like you're having trouble reaching. Maybe I could help you with that." She wasn't surprised to feel her new boss's hand wrap around her sponge.

She closed her eyes for a second and then decided, what the fuck? It's just a job and if it goes to shit, she would find another one. She turned to look at the redhead. "That would be really helpful."

Helpful? Helpful?

Helpful is carrying your coke to the table if your hands are full with your soup and sandwich. Helpful is unlocking your computer after you forget your password. Helpful is pulling over to change a tire for a stranded motorist.

This was not helpful.

This was...

Willow dutifully poured soap onto the sponge and worked it into a lather. She slowly traced the contours of Tara's back with the implement, at the sound of Tara's unrestrained moan dropping the sponge and using her fingers to draw symbols in the soap. "What are you drawing?"
Willow's hands circled the blonde's waist and cupped her breasts. She leaned in to whisper in her ear. "I'm writing, 'I've wanted to fuck you since your came in for your job interview.'"

Tara turned quickly in the other woman's arms and kissed her. Hard. She cupped the boss's tight ass and began to squeeze the flesh in her palms. "Then you're way behind schedule, Ms. Rosenberg."

Willow giggled as she continued to work the blonde's breasts and backed her against the wall of the shower. "I intend to remedy that immediately." She kissed the other woman again before pulling her mouth away and repositioning it on one of Tara's breasts.

Tara moved one hand to the back of her boss's head as the other continued groping the redhead's ass. "Don't stop," she gasped as Willow moved to the other breast. A minute later Tara felt the redhead's hand separating her folds. It was going fast but not too fast. Oh God. This isn't going to take long, she could barely think as her hand grasped for purchase on the slick tiles. And then Willow's mouth was against hers and two fingers were inside her. She thrust in and out quickly. Tara knew that she was grasping the other woman's shoulders, perhaps too tightly but she had an idea of a way to make the redhead forgive the bruises. "Oh God! Right there!" and then she was coming, her head banging against the tile so that she saw flashing lights and didn't care in the least.

Minutes later, Tara found herself kneeling in front of the bench by the lockers, licking and sucking a screaming, writhing young entrepreneur. And the entrepreneur quite obviously appreciated the attention if her sounds were any indication. She came almost as quickly as Tara had and the blonde refrained from laughing. "I guess it's been a while?"

Willow giggled and rolled off the bench to rest her head on Tara's chest. "Well over a year. I've been kind of busy since then."

Tara smiled and kissed the redhead once more before gently easing her off her chest and against the bench. She crossed to the shower and quickly rinsed before grabbing her towel and drying off. She started dressing as Willow remained sitting, watching her without saying another word. She dressed and smiled at her boss. "Thanks, Ms. Rosenberg." Then she considered again. "I'm a little surprised that you don't have an executive shower up in your office?"

Willow laughed and her eyes sparkled. "Oh I do. But the log showed that you started using this shower a few weeks ago."

Tara laughed back and picked up her bag. "I've got to get to the center."

As she was leaving she heard Willow's voice behind her. "See you Thursday, Tara." [/blockquote]

Tara glanced at her watch again. Just on time. She could hear the shower running. Right on time.

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Last edited by JustSkipIt on Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:40 pm 
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3. Flaming O

Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 11:05 pm
Posts: 79
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Dibs!

Okay, now that I got that out of the way...
(yeah, i've been following this thread the whole time, but late to add feedback. i'll quickly say I liked all the stories that have been posted)

Yay for more shower scenes! I had thought that it was going to be a single continued story, but the two seperate vignettes seem to prove me wrong.
Cute story, very funny, and kinda hot!

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:09 pm 
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4. Extra Flamey
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Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:59 pm
Posts: 210
Location: Toronto, Canada
Teeheehee. That was definitely a...ahem....hotter shower scene than last time. :P That was great, though -- this is the type of stuff I wanna see on Damages, damn it! Wishful thinking? :(

I think it might be time for a cold shower.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:41 pm 
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13. Big Knowledge Woman
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Location: Iowa City, Iowa
WOW, talk about a workplace incentive program to keep fit.
Not only does Willow seek to maximize profits by reducing insurance claims for stress related disorders but she uses the logbook for a far far better thing for her to do than to merely record statistical usage.
Strict attention to detail in cleaning out every little crack can certainly only lead to a sprng in Tara's step as she does her charitable work.

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 Post subject: Re: Willtaralympics 2007: An RKT Sports Spectacular
PostPosted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:53 am 
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23. Volumey Text

Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2005 11:39 pm
Posts: 3787
Location: UK
Hot shower scene. Great writing.


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